Nanny/Childminder costs? (plus a wee update on us)

MrsTinks

onlyroz - see it's interesting as my view is the opposite? My daughter goes to something different 3 or 4 days a week, there are several part time kids and my child minder socializes with other child minders so they go out for lunch etc. They do arty crafty things every week and she meets kids both older and younger but instead of the "oh sorry the girl who looked after her has gone and she hasn't left a note..." that my friends seem to get a lot from their nurseries, I get one to one updates every day on what she's been up to.
I think it just all depends on if you find a good nursery/childminder or likewise if you get a bad one! we've obviously both been fortunate!

onlyroz

MrsTine wrote: »

I think it just all depends on if you find a good nursery/childminder or likewise if you get a bad one! we've obviously both been fortunate!

I guess we have . I've certainly got no complains about my daughter's nursery, and we do get individual reports each day about what she's been doing.

Savvy_Sue

Just to throw in another thought or two, you might find a combination works ...

I don't think an au pair would 'work' because you want care for baby more hours than they are supposed to work, it's a lot of responsibility etc etc etc.

But I believe you have the space, so would having someone 'live-in' to help get the girls to school be a possibility, alongside a nursery or childminder for your son?

I had fab childminders too, who worked together so could back each other up if there was an emergency. Never used a nursery for babies so can't comment there.

balletshoes

hippychick1 wrote: »

Hi Gemma

My childminder is fabulous. She charges £3.50 per hour per child, but is quite flexible with my rates. I am a student nurse, so sometimes do not need her as I have quite a few weeks holiday per year, then other times I work a 40 hour week doing shifts that start early.

She charges me a set rate of £200 per week for 3 children. I drop the children at 7am, then she'll take the boys to school for me, have my daughter all day, then pick the boys up from school ready for me coming to fetch them all at 4pm.

My advice would be to ring some local childminders to see if they have vacancies, and go to meet them. Tell them your requirements and see what they will charge. You'll also get an idea of who you would be willing to leave your children with!

thats great advice - i also had a childminder for my daughter when we first moved house, until i could get her a full time nursery place. Childminder was brill, all the kids loved her, and she did the local school run every day for anyone who needed it. I checked out the childminder pages from our local council - Surestart might also be able to help you find a local childminder.

ifonlyitwaseasier

thanks for the update Gemma

GobbledyGook

Thanks all.

I've spoken to a few childminders today and I wasn't overly impressed with any of them who had spaces, but I'm going to meet a few of them properly anyway to see if I'm perhaps letting my worry about leaving Josiah so young cloud my judgement.

I popped in to see one nursery and, safe to say, won't be using it. The staff were very unprofessional and 1 I seen smoking outside didn't wash her hands before picking up a child! I've made appointments at 2 others as well.

I am keener on a nanny tbh, I'm not sure why, but I think it's something I really want to look into. I'm just not sure the best way to go about it so waiting for my friend who has a nannyshare comes back her holiday next week.

Thanks all, I'm really excited about the new job. It'll really give me the chance to be quite financially independant which I'm looking forward too.

Gemma x

dizzybuff

I t took e three goes to find the right childminder and my current one is fab . Try this http://childcarefinder.direct.gov.uk/childcarefinder/ this gives you Childcare with pick up locations ( school drop offs ) etc.

You could also pop along to a childminders play group , they are usually in local community centers or churches.

Nannies are expensive , and you may find the socialisint with other children will do your kids the world of good. Some childminders feed the kids as well included in the price or with an extra cost. This will give you those few extra hours you time.

Good luck in your search , but I have personally found childminders to be the best option.

Savvy_Sue

I wouldn't see lack of socialisation necessarily being a problem with a nanny. They will go to groups if you ask them to, they may have nanny meets too.

If you can afford it, and you get a good one, it's probably the closest to you being at home there is: home environment etc. But it probably is the most expensive option.

rachelet

GobbledyGook wrote: »

Thanks all.

I've spoken to a few childminders today and I wasn't overly impressed with any of them who had spaces, but I'm going to meet a few of them properly anyway to see if I'm perhaps letting my worry about leaving Josiah so young cloud my judgement.

I popped in to see one nursery and, safe to say, won't be using it. The staff were very unprofessional and 1 I seen smoking outside didn't wash her hands before picking up a child! I've made appointments at 2 others as well.

I am keener on a nanny tbh, I'm not sure why, but I think it's something I really want to look into. I'm just not sure the best way to go about it so waiting for my friend who has a nannyshare comes back her holiday next week.

Thanks all, I'm really excited about the new job. It'll really give me the chance to be quite financially independant which I'm looking forward too.

Gemma x

Hi Gemma,

Just wanted to say I have never had a nanny myself but back when I was working, I used to do the accounts and audit for Norland College which trains Nannies. These are supposedly the best Nannies in the World and lots of royalty and celebrities have employed Norland Nannies. They have their own recruitment agency http://www.norlandagency.co.uk/. Have a look at their website, it might answer some queries while you are waiting for your friend to get back from holiday.

GobbledyGook

I'm just not sure about Josiah going somewhere with other children regularly so young. He's too little yet to need socialisation. He's going to be probably 6 months. I just feel he should get the 1:1 care and attention the girls got.

It'll probably have to be a childminder as I'm 99.9% sure I can't afford a nanny without help from the ex or the divorce finalised - the first of which I don't want to rely on really and the second won't be done in time.

I'm just really thrown. It's coming up to the anniversary of my marriage and life imploding. I'm not really sure more work and responsibility is what I need right now, but the opportunity might not be there again. It's never simple!!

Thanks all

Gemma x